Re: Deskjet 720c and Windows 8

Hello Bob, I too am unable to print to my Deskjet 720C from my HP desktop PC after upgrading to Windows 8 Pro 64 bit (W8P4) from Windows 7 Home Edition 64 bit (W7H4) and am hoping you can help. I was able to use the 720C successfully for several years with a Cables to Go USB-parallel cable (model 16898) on this PC under W7H4 after applying your patch. I've documented my attempts to date to resolve the problem in the hopes that it will assist you in your efforts to solve the problem.

- After upgrading to W8P4, I tried to print using the 720C with no success. The document seemed to appear in the print queue very briefly before disappearing.

- I then applied your patch since my W8P4 install had reverted the hpvdb720.dll back to an earlier version than your patch version. Still no success.

- I then tried using the cable and 720C with Windows 8 Pro 32 bit (W8P2) on a Toshiba laptop that I had upgraded from Windows 7 Home Edition 32 bit (W7H2). This worked without a hitch.

- I then made the printer “shared” on the Toshiba, logged onto the Toshiba via my home network from the HP desktop, opened a document on the HP desktop, then selected the shared 720C. This also worked!

- I then tried defining the shared printer on the HP desktop as you suggested in your November 18 proposed test. This did not work.

- In addition to the above, I also installed the 720C and cable on the desktop PC ensuring that the port was the USB001 virtual port but this did work either.

FYI typically, the Event Log has the following Application error (Event ID 1000, Task Category 100) after a print attempt:

Also in the Device Manager under USB Controllers, there is an entry “No Printer Attached” with the same driver version (6.2.9200.16384) as in the above error message. This entry is “grayed” out on the desktop PC but not on the Toshiba. I'm not sure if this is relevant.

Personally, I'm wondering if the cable is not compatible with W8P4 IEEE-1284 driver. Hope you can help. If you need any more information please let me know.

By the way, I'd like to take this opportunity to commend you on your work solving these computer problems for us less technical folks. With your patch for W7H4, I was able to extent the life of my trusty old workhorse 720C and avoid the scrap heap for several additional years. Thank you for efforts.

Re: Deskjet 720c and Windows 8

Just an update on the issue - I have duplicated the issue on Windows 8 x64 and have gotten things to work on Windows 8 x86. It does appear that hpvscp50.dll is an issue, I get errors in the event log with hpvscp50.dll when trying to print from any Windows 8 application on my test x64 system.

The patch I had for x64 versions of Vista and Windows 7 does not help the issue here.

Re: Deskjet 720c and Windows 8

Thank you for continuing to work on this. The 720 Series printers are great, so it would be a terrible shame to see them become unusable simply because none of us can figure out how to make the drivers work.

Re: Deskjet 720c and Windows 8

Hi Bob. Thanks for the update and glad to hear you were able to duplicate the problem and isolate the cause. Good luck in solving the problem. I echo the apprecation for your continuing to work on this issue as the HP 722C is a great little work-horse printer. Thanks.

Re: Deskjet 720c and Windows 8

I'm having the same problem. Contacted Startech about the adapter cable, which is working...but the printer driver is not accepting the adapter cable. both are listed as working. I'd appreciate any help. I have $100 in toner to use and it seems silly to buy another printer.

Re: Deskjet 720c and Windows 8

I'm having the same problem. Contacted Startech about the adapter cable, which is working...but the printer driver is not accepting the adapter cable. both are listed as working. I'd appreciate any help. I have $100 in toner to use and it seems silly to buy another printer.

Regardless of the USB-parallel cable there is an issue with the printer driver in Windows 8 x64. I did some testing in a Windows 8 machine with a parallel port. You can see the results in this post, and subscribe to the other thread as well.

Bob Headrick, HP Expert

I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.

If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V